Fatigue and poor sleep are associated with driving risk among Korean occupational drivers

Abstract Background Occupational drivers are vulnerable to traffic incidents. Although modifiable factors should be emphasized when developing preventive interventions, there is a lack of knowledge concerning how fatigue, sleep, and health status are associated with driving risk in occupational drivers. Objective The aim of this study was to identify the associations between driving risk indices with fatigue and sleep-related characteristics in Korean occupational drivers. Methods Participants were recruited from commercial vehicle companies specializing in trucks, construction vehicles, taxis, or buses (N = 161). A structured questionnaire consisted of Korean versions of the (1) Traffic Accident Risk Index; (2) Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; (3) Epworth Sleepiness Scale; and (4) Short Form-12, version 2. Multiple linear and binary logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS 24. Results Participants’ mean age was 53.03 (SD = 9.42) years. Working as bus drivers, high perceived fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness, and poor mental health status were associated with higher traffic accident risk index scores (all p-values  Conclusions Comprehensive assessments should integrate multidimensional interventions including fatigue reduction, sleep management, and promoting efforts to foster physical and mental health for occupational drivers. Vehicle-related organizations need to develop both individual and systemic support through internal regulations and public policies to prevent the modifiable factors of driving risk.